Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Who says fashion is exclusive to Europe and the West? In Lagos, the Nigerian business hub, top Nigerian fashion designers are creating distinctive and creative designs inspired by African traditions. Most people associate Nigeria only with oil. However, Top Nigerian fashion designers such as Duro Olowu, whose line was worn by former US first lady Michelle Obama, are changing the narrative. Other designers, such as Tsemaye Binitie and Kunbi Oyelese, make couture-level pieces that compete in the global fashion market. No doubt, they are becoming a force to be reckoned with in the worldwide fashion market arena today.
Duro Olowu
Duro is amongst top Nigerian fashion designers and is recognized for his products’ vivid colours, well-finished cuts, and antique prints in his creations. Powerful ladies have been drawn to his ingenuity and garment designs, including Michelle Obama, the former first lady of the United States. He’s also well-known for the spectacular Nigerian-style clothing he creates. Therefore, he is one of the Nigerian male designers whose name you should take note of.
Tsemaye Binitie: Versace’s 80s inspired Top Nigerian Fashion Designer
From an early age, Tsemaye was inspired by Versace’s 80s frenzy to declare that he wanted to outfit ladies and “the world” in his own irreverently gorgeous manner. He frequently draws influence from traditional Nigerian masks and ritual attire. This talented Nigerian fashion designer specialises in cutting-edge demi-couture women’s apparel that blends high design content with utility. Sharp, sophisticated, and timeless designs are delivered with meticulous cut, luxurious materials, and stylish construction. His designs incorporate dynamic, draped, and body-conscious silhouettes with a strong intent to convey a fresh sense of elegance and modern glitz. No surprising, today, amongst top Nigerian fashion designers, his label is well-known in Lagos, London, and New York, as well as on the global map of modern women’s clothing
Kunbi Oyelese
Kunbi Oyelese Kunbi is a graduate of New York’s prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology. April by Kunbi is her very well known company, which was created in 2010 and is named after her birth month of April. Kunbi is not just known amongst Nigerian fashion designers for her magnificent bridal gowns, but also for producing stunning gowns for celebrities like Agbani Darego, Tiwa Savage, Toke Makinwa, Seyi Shay, and others. Within that, Kunbi styles may be found amongst collections that have a vibrant, bright look that the wearer can’t get enough of.
We strongly believe that the fashion industry has a great potential to build the Nigerian economy. Back in the 17th century, Africa enjoyed a great boom of cloth production. So massive and prestigious that cloth was used as a currency of exchange, popularly called “Cloth money”. We would explore this history in the future. Get our app to know more.
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Joadre Editorial.
